Metal spoke



(No Model.)

W. G. ALLEN. METAL SPOKE.

No. 598,620. Patented Feb. 8, 1898.

THE Moms PETERS cu, PNOTQ-UTNOWASHINGTON. o. c.

NrrnD STATES PATE T Crrrcn.

IVILLIAM Cr. ALLEN, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

METAL SPOKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 598,620, dated February8, 1898.

7 Application filed September 22, 1897. Serial No. 652,566. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern."

Be it known that I,WILLIAM G. ALLEN, of

Hartford, Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement inMetal Spokes, which improvement is fully set forth in the followingspecification.

This invention relates to the construction of metal wheel-spokes forbicycles and other vehicles; and its object is to produce a spoke which,while possessing great tensile strength in proportion to weight andcapable of being readily and cheaply made, shall present a brilliant andelegantappearance in compari-;

son withthe spoke now ordinarily used.

The principal departure from ordinary practice in making the improvedspoke consists in forming the intermediate portion of irregular orangular instead of circular crosssection, leaving the ends rounded. Ifurther preferably impart to this intermediate portion as a finishingstep a twist, so that the edges or angles form parallel helices. Spokesof this description impart to the Wheel a highlyornamental appearance,and when in motion the reflection of light from the angles of the spoke,particularly when twisted, produces a brilliant scintillating efiect. Inmaking spokes of this sort several difficulties have to be avoided inorder to obtain a successful result. If the blank were reduced toangular or irregular cross-section and twisted from end to end, it wouldhave to be drawn very hard in order to obtain the requisite tensilestrength. In such case the bending of the headed end to form theshoulder is difficult and the metal when bent is greatly strained andbreaks readily at the bend. 'Moreover, if the stock is angular therewould not be a suitable bearing under the head. It also becomesdifficult to shape the other end and out the thread thereon.

In making the improved spoke I proceed in the following way: The blanksare cut of proper length from steel-Wire stock of circular cross-sectionof the proper softness and toughness to admit of threading and ofbending the headed end without loss of strength. The middle part of theblank is then brought to a triangular, square, hexagonal, or otherpolygonal or irregular cross-section, leaving the ends circular in crosssection. This change of shape is preferably effected by the use of rollshaving grooves of proper shape and adapted to act on the middle part ofthe blank and finished, if desired, by swaging-dies; but the meansemployed form' no part of the invention and may be of any suitable sort.The physical effect produced is to increase the hardness, compactness,and tensile strength of themiddle portion, leaving the ends unaltered.The middle portion is then preferably twisted, making a spiral ofgreater or less pitch, as desired. the middle portion of the spoke it isadvantageous at the same time to reduce it in sectional area, and theprocedure above described will accomplish that result. Obviously a blankhaving circular ends of greater diameter than the angular reducedportion can be produced in other ways; but that described above isbelieved to be the most practical and effective. The subsequentoperations of heading, bending, and threading are or may be performed inthe usual way.

Many specific varieties of spokes can be produced within the scope ofthe invention.. As already stated, the reduced middle portion may be ofvarious forms in cross-section, and the helices may have variouspitches. The twist may also extend over a part only of the reducedportion and maybe interrupted at one or more places, thus producingdifferent effects upon the eye and giving to different wheelsdistinctive appearances.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification,Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, illustrate blanks having their middleportions of different polygonal form in crosssection. Fig. 6 illustratesa twisted spoke, and Fig. 7 another form of twisted spoke, the endportions being broken away.

In Figs. 1 to '5, a designates the circular ends, and b the polygonalintermediate portion, of the spoke. In Fig. 1 this portion presents incross-section a square, in Fig. 2 a triangle, in Fig. 3 a pentagon, inFig. 4. an 0blong parallelogram, and in Fig. 5 a hexagon.

As shown in Fig. 6, the middle portion of the finished spoke has twistedparts or sections 0, alternating with plain or untwisted parts at. Awheel provided with these spokes would exhibit while in motion brightcircular bands separated by duller zones. Of course the number oftwisted sections maybe greater or less than shown in this figure. Fig. 6also shows one of the ends provided with a head 6 and shoulder f and theother with a screwthread. It will be understood, however, that theinvention is applicable to spokes which are not shouldered at oneend orwhich have other attaching means than those shown.

Fig. 7 illustrates a spoke which has the middle portion twisted from endto end.

The foregoing description will enable persons skilled in the art ofmetal-Working to comprehend myinvention fully and to modify theconstruction of the spoke in various Ways additional to thosespecifically indicated.

Having now particularly described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. A metal spoke having endportions of circular cross-section, and an intermediate portion ofangular cross-section and twisted so that the edges form parallelhelices, substantially as described.

2. A metal Wheel-spoke having end portions of relatively large diameter,and a reduced middle portion of polygonal cross=section twisted so thatits angles form parallel helices, substantially as described.

3. A metal spoke having end portions of circular cross-section, and areduced twisted middle portion of polygonal cross-section, substantiallyas described.

4. A metal spoke having end portions of circular cross-section ofrelatively soft metal and a harder middle portion of, polygonalcross-section, the middle portion being twisted, substantially asdescribed.

5. A metal spoke having end portions of circular cross-section and areduced middle portion of polygonal cross-section, the edges formingparallel helices extending over part of said middle portion,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing Witnesses.

WVILLIAM Gr. ALLEN.

Witnesses:

REEVE LEWIS, S. T. CAMERON.

